Page:Paul Clifford Vol 2.djvu/17

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
PAUL CLIFFORD.
9

in the three kingdoms a firmer friend to the existing establishment.

Whenever a nobleman does not marry, people try to take away his character. Lord Mauleverer had never married; the Whigs had been very bitter on the subject; they even alluded to it in the House of Commons, that chaste assembly, where the never-failing subject of reproach against Mr. Pitt was the not being of an amorous temperament; but they had not hitherto prevailed against the stout Earl's celibacy. It is true that if he was devoid of a wife, he had secured to himself plenty of substitutes; his profession was that of a man of gallantry; and though he avoided the daughters, it was only to make love to the mothers. But his Lordship had now attained a certain age, and it was at last circulated among his friends that he intended to look out for a Lady Mauleverer.

"Spare your caresses," said his Toad-in-chief, to a certain Duchess who had three portionless daughters, "Mauleverer has sworn that he will not choose among your order; you know his high politics, and you will not wonder at his